Umbrella-rib-tip shield



(No Model.)

' W. P. RICHARDS.

UMBRELLA RIB TIP SHIELD.

No. 321.855. Patented July 7, 1885.

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iilavw 25 IINITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM P. RICHARDS, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

UMBRELLA-RlB-TIP SHIELD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 321,855, dated July '7, 1885.

(No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM P. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New J ersey, have invented a new and useful Umbrella and Parasol Rib-Tip Shield, of which the following is a specification.

The obj ect, of my invention is to provide a shield or protector for umbrella or parasol covers, to be applied, after the article is finished, at that part of the cover where the fabric is stitched or tied to the tip of the rib, whereby the secured edges of the material and its stitches are preserved from contact with the hands and other surfaces likely to wear it out by constant friction.

In the drawings, which serve to illustrate my invention, Figure 1 represents a finished umbrella having my shields applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the shield, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the same attached to the rib.

In the general manufacture of umbrellas or parasols it is the usual practice to secure the cover at or near the outer end of each rib by stitches passed through a suitable perforation therein. To make a firm fastening, the thread must be wound several times around the edge of the material, which forms a protuberance near the tip of the rib that is constantly subject to contact with the hands and other surfaces, which friction causes the stitches to break at these points, tearing the cover, and rendering it unsightly before the main portion is worn out. To protectthe cover at these points is the purpose of my invention; and to accomplish this I provide a sheath or cap of a peculiar shape, adapted to inclose the end of the rib and cover the stitches that confine the cover thereto,which can be supplied to the manufacturer ready for application to the finished umbrella.

Referring to Fig. 1, a represents the rod or stick of an umbrella; b, the ribs, having the usual ball end, a, and d the cover, secured at its outer edge to the ribs by stitching through and through the perforated end of the rib.

e represents the sheath, preferably formed of brass spun or drawn up into tubular form,

with a closed outer end of a suitable size to 5 comprises about two-thirds of the cireumferential edge of the tube, being elongated, as seen at f. The edge of both this and the lower portion, g, is rounded off uniformly at the sides, to form the V-shaped notch h,to receive the edge of the material, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The elongated upper portion, f, extends up over and entirely covers the stitches which confine the cover to the ribs. The under part, 9, being shorter than the upper part, embraces the edge of the cover, but leaves it free to be expanded without any strain upon the fabric. After the sheath or shield is adjusted over the extremity of the rib, it is secured in place by compression by means of a specially-constructed gripping or clinching device,which is used to compress the tube below the ball 0 on the rib.

For general use the sheath or protector e is preferably made of metal spun or drawn into the form here shown; but I do not intend to confine myself to this material alone, as the same may be made of rubber, ivory, or any other material adapted for the purpose.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is b As a new article of manufacture, a shield for attachment to the rib-tips of umbrellas, consisting of a conical tube closed at one end, and having the other end bisected to form a V-shaped notch on each side, and provided with a prolongation adapted to extend up over the stitches that confine the cover to the tip of the rib, substantially as set forth.

WM. P. RICHARDS.

WVitnesses:

- CHARLES I. BoLLEs,

()BA WOODRUFF. 

